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Asked by 12sardal to Clare, Mariana, Robert, Susanne on 21 Nov 2012.
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Robert Insall answered on 21 Nov 2012:
Hello 12sardal.
Sun rays contain quite a lot of ultraviolet (UV). UV is dangerous because it can damage DNA. That’s why you can get skin cancer if you sunbathe – but sun cream blocks the UV light and stops most of the damage.
The same thing – UV – harms the cells in your retinas if you get too much. Sunglasses block UV in much the same way as sun cream.
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Clare Taylor answered on 21 Nov 2012:
High-energy visible radiation from the sun as well as UV can also damage your retinas so it’s important to wear sunglasses. Also, children are more susceptible to damage to retinas from UV because the lens inside children’s eyes is clearer than the lenses in adult eyes.
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Susanne Muekusch answered on 21 Nov 2012:
Hi sardal,
one more thing to add:
Cells with damaged DNA usually commit suicide. And the cells in your retina are not re-built. Once they are gone, they are gone. The UV light leads to DNA damage, the cell commits suicide and this cell is not replaced.
Because you have many thousand cells in your retina, you will not notice the difference of one cell gone, but in the long run it is smarter not to let too much UV light into your eyes. -
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